In the latest of John  Bluck's Smart Talk contributions to RadioNZ, he offers his  thoughts and experiences about film and film-going in New Zealand--as a very personal perspective on how moviegoing in New Zealand reflects our character, history and preoccupations.
 https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/smart_talk/audio/...luck-explores-a-life-long-love-of-the-movies-in-new-zealand or https://tinyurl.com/y4s5dy5o
Recommended reading/listening

Follow the link below to an excellent, double-page feature about the remarkable Regent 5-screen cinema in the Waikato town of Te Awamutu (from the Waikato Times, 4 September 2020).  At the centre  of the article is owner Allan Webb, who describes the history of the Regent and the problems it is currently facing.  I add a few comments.  
​https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/122594487/covid19-delivers-small-town-cinemas-hardest-scene-yet?cid=app-iPad

In conversations about this site, people often ask me the inevitable question: What  is your favourite New Zealand cinema?  I usually choose the Everybody's Theatre in the small South Taranaki town of Opunake.  On other occasions, people report back to me  about their own discovery of Everybody's, expressing their surprise at finding such a wonderful cinema in such a seemingly unlikely place.
But it has been there, in one way or another, since the 1920s. In recent years, it has had a new lease of life due to a very successful fundraising campaign, which enabled earthquake strengthening and a beautiful upgrade, together with the work of a band of dedicated local volunteers. What you will find at the Everybody's is a quite unique blend of classic cinema-going and local charm. 
​The next time you are through Taranaki, take the coastal route from Hawera to New Plymouth (Highway 45), stop in Opunake and discover this cinema for yourself.  

A friend sent me news of the second Paekakariki Film Festival, to be held in this Kapiti seaside town from July 26 to September 13 at 5.30 Sunday nights. The venue is the local St. Peter's Hall and film programming is being steered by Andrew Armitage, formerly of Aro Video in Wellington.  For more information, visit www.paekakakariki.nz/event/paekakariki-film-festival

 Now that travel within New Zealand is possible, I will be heading down Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa way in the coming weeks, to update cinemas in Napier, Hastings, Masterton and so on.  Time to also resurrect the Cinema of the Month feature.

With cinemas re-opening, it is time to  return to the big screen.  Last week, the Hamilton Film Society re-commenced its 2020 film programme with Gaylene Preston's  feature MR WRONG (1985), with Gaylene in attendance. It was a great evening and there was general agreement that this ghost/thriller film still gets the laughs and screams.
​  

 With the Level 1 announcement  of June 8, New Zealand cinemas have stirred back into life. I have been to three films in the past week (Master Cheng, The Trip to Greece, The Assistant) and it has taken minimal re-adjustment to return to familiar haunts such the Lido in Hamilton and Tivoli in Cambridge.
New titles are arriving on screens (more quickly than the multiplexes) and where there are insufficient films, some cinemas are drawing on the back catalogue, providing the rare experience of seeing such classics as Singing in the Rain or Funny Girl on the big screen.
Film society screenings are also starting again; on June 22 the Hamilton Film Society will  screen the NZ feature Mr Wrong, with director Gaylene Preston in attendance.

It seems a long time since I last visited a New Zealand cinema but it good to see many stirring back to life.  Some cinemas (such as the Academy in  Auckland) were quite innovative during those long weeks when all screens were dark;  offering online access to recent films.  
The Doc Edge Festival 2020  has just released its programme; some 83 documentaries online over the period 12 June to 5 July.  I don't really know where to begin with that, but we will give it go.  This will be closely followed  by the NZ International Film Festival; again online, running from 24 July to 2 August.
Both events will offer convenience and reduced costs (no more snatched meals between films) but I continue to miss the real cinema experience.  I am also worried about the possible future viability olf some independent cinemas around New Zealand and I took it upon myself to send a message to Grant Robertson (Minister of Finance0, which was passed on to Stuart Nash (Minister for Small Business).  His reply is as below;

Dear Geoff,
Thank you for your email of 22 April 2020 to Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern and Hon Grant Robertson with your concerns regarding the state of independent cinemas in New Zealand as a result of COVID-19. As the matters you raised fall within my responsibilities as Minister for Small Business, I am responding to your email.
I appreciate your message of support for the Government’s direction through the current crisis. I am aware of the impacts and uncertainty that COVID-19 is bringing to many businesses at this time.
I acknowledge your concern regarding the hardships many independent cinema owners are experiencing during the COVID-19 response.
While the Government has already acted swiftly in response to the crisis, with about $20 billion in support already announced, it recognises that more is needed. Feedback and comment from both the public and the tax industry has played an important role in formulating the Government’s decisions and we continue to work with various business groups and industry leaders. From these discussions it is clear New Zealand needs to work as one to respond to these unprecedented times.
The Government has announced a suite of measures to provide relief for small and medium- sized businesses, like independent cinemas, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included investing $25 million over the next 12 months for business consultancy support. This funding will provide tailored support services to help businesses weather the storm, at no charge to the business (up to the value of $5000). Using established services, including the Regional Business Partner Network, and the helplines run by the Employers and Manufacturers Association and Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, you can get specialist, tailored advice where it is needed, fast. This could range from human resources advice to business continuity planning to financial management. You can register at: www.regionalbusinesspartners.co.nz.
Independent cinemas are advised to contact Business Mentors New Zealand. Business Mentors New Zealand is committed to helping small business owners, emerging business entrepreneurs and social enterprise decision-makers make better business decisions. Its mentoring service introduces small business owners and social enterprise executive officers to skilled Business Mentors who will assist them in advancing their business capability, capacity and sustainability by sharing their knowledge and experience.
Ref: 20-3076
If independent cinema owners call the 0800 209 209 number now, they will be put through to a person who will assist them into a code to bypass payment. If they have one-off urgent enquiries, they send these to admin@bmnz.org.nz and they will be assisted.
In addition to the above, the Government is also introducing the Small Business Cashflow Loan Scheme. The Small Business Cashflow Loan Scheme will provide interest-free loans for a year to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 economic shock to support their immediate cashflow needs and meet fixed costs. Many businesses have had little or no revenue through Alert Level 4 and Level 3. This scheme is designed to give them access to cashflow to meet fixed costs on concessionary terms. The loans will provide assistance of up to $100,000 to firms employing 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.
The scheme will provide $10,000 to every firm and $1800 per equivalent full-time employee. Loans will be interest free if they are paid back within a year. The interest rate will be 3 per cent for a maximum term of five years. Repayments are not required for the first two years.
The eligibility criteria are the same as for the Wage Subsidy Scheme. Businesses will also have to declare that they are a viable business, they will use the money for core business operating costs and enter into a legally binding loan contract.
The scheme will be administered by Inland Revenue who will be taking applications from 12 May 2020, and pay out very shortly thereafter.
You can keep up to date with the latest information on the Government’s response initiatives at: https://covid19.govt.nz; there is also a government helpline (0800 779 997) for broader government advice.
Please be assured that we are monitoring the impacts of COVID-19 closely, and will continue to respond as the situation changes.
These are difficult times for many New Zealanders. Yet we can all contributing to eradicating this virus by following public health advice. For many of us, this is the most important thing we can do for our community during this tough period.
Thank you again for writing. Yours sincerely
Stuart Nash
Minister for Small Business 

If you have not yet read it, here is a link to a very good appraisal by Business Stuff journalist Tony Wall. I put him in touch with Karen and Shane at the Tivoli in Cambridge and that was a good thing.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/prosper/121148436/coronavirus-cinema-owners-are-desperate-for-more-government-cash-so-they-can-survive-the-covid19-pandemic

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Obviously, there is not a lot I can be doing with this site, in these testing times.  I am sure missing going to the movies but there is some consolation in what you can find online, and watch in the company of specific individuals.
Just a reminder about the Mark Cousin's Women Making Film, which begins on the Rialto Channel (Sky39) tonight (Wednesday April 1), at 8.30pm. Dan Slevin also interviewed Mark on At The Movies ( RNZ National) on the same night. . Interview available here
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/atthemovies/audio/2018741080/mark-cousins-and-women-make-film
Here is an interesting perspective from Mark, in The Guardian from this week:
​https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/mar/30/lockdown-watch-mark-cousins-only-seeing-films-from-1940?CMP=share_btn_link